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Re: Kesa

Can a men sew a Kesa without been ordinated as a monk?
to give it to someone from the sangha,
or to give it to the Sangha itself, (uses for pillars in the zendo)
or just to keep it...

why would I like to sew it?
- to obtain the art of the Kesa and his sewing
(like how it is put together)
- to develop in sewing dots and technique
(the Rakusu is limited)
- to obtain, understand and experience the Kesa dharma
- and just because I like to do it.

why the question?
I did hear that the first Kesa you sew
is the Kesa used for your ordination,
and I also like to hear other opinions about that

extra info:
the Rakusu I wear is not my first, but second Rakusu
the first one i did give away to a Non,
because she needed it, she can not sew it herself
also because we attach ourselves to our first sewing,
and I just like to sew

I am going to ask my Master/Teacher the same question
in the autumn sesshin this November
and also to request permission to have one sewing without ordination.

Re: Kesa

Kesa is the robe of sitting,
Kesa is the true robe of every single Buddha,
sometimes a kesa can be given to a person outside Jukai or Tokudo,
if you follow the Japanese Soto rules, one cannot
if you follow Buddha's direction, one can
Both are right
in Nyohoe tradition,
The whole universe is already a kesa
you may cover cats, dogs, fools and wise people
with it
no problem

Re: Kesa

In the nyohoe tradition, you may ask for your teacher's permission, namely ask Yuno. Everybody may wear a kesa, but nowdays it is a bit complicated because most Zen teachers in the West follow the Sotoshu rules.